My new snake

[stitch]

I just got my first snake last weekend. Just wondering if anyone can tell me what type of garter he is. (Not even sure if it is a "he".) I've looked at pics online and so far I haven't really seen any others that look exactly like him.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2852645463_da89c46951.jpg?v=0

[kurtnagel]

Looks a lot like my Plains (Thamnophis Radix) Rosa. I'm definitely not an expert though. Have you looked at gartersnake.info - all about garter snakes (http://www.gartersnake.info)? Do you know where the snake came from?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

That's a nice little Plains Garter, Thamnophis Radix, you have there!

[Stefan-A]

I'd like a view of the lateral stripes before declaring it anything. T. sirtalis annectens can be so similar to certain T. radix variants, that it's best to count the scale rows.

It is probably a T. radix, but it wouldn't be the first T. s. annectens either.

[Zephyr]

Annectens doesn't have the spot on the head. :P

[Stefan-A]

That last one we came across here, had a faint one. The lateral stripe is still the only definite indicator.

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Stitch :)

[Zephyr]

From the annectens I've seen, the dorsal stripe is even more defined and the color varies through different reds and oranges; Also, the shape of the head to neck says "radix" here. Sirtalis heads are usually less triangular too. :P

[Loren]

Hi Stitch,
my first thought was plains, but just a guess.

[ssssnakeluvr]

I am gonna say radix also....nice stripe but haven't seen a yellow striped annectans...

[Stefan-A]

I am gonna say radix also....nice stripe but haven't seen a yellow striped annectans...
I've seen plenty of pictures of yellow-striped annectens. :)

[reptile3]

Welcome to the group... very nice looking snake!

[infernalis]

I'd be inclined to say Radix also. They are a lot more common in the pet trade.

Did you catch it or buy it???

if you caught it, can you tell us roughly where??

[stitch]

Thanks, guys.

I didn't catch him, I got him while in Saskatchewan. Someone my brother knows had a bunch of babies and he offered to get me one. I have no idea where the mother came from, if she was caught or came from a pet store.
I was starting to think it was a radix too. The stripe is sort of yellowy-orange.

[Aundrea]

Hi, Welcome to the Forum!!! You have a very nice snake there!! :D

[stitch]

I don't know if I got a good picture from the side, but below the top (dorsal?) stripe, there's about 3 rows of scales in a checkered pattern, then 2 rows in a light yellow/cream colour, then a row of dark dots...

[anji1971]

Welcome to the forum.:)
Nice looking snake!

[Snake lover 3-25]

i'd say radix too:D welcome love his stripe!!!:D:D

[stitch]

Thanks! :)
To answer the other questions, (seems my other post didn't show up) he's from Saskatchewan. I'm not sure if he was caught, or captive bred. Someone my brother knows had some baby snakes and my bro offered to get me one, since I was admiring the one he had. I never even knew that people kept them as pets until I checked online when I got him home. (I admit that when I got him, my knowledge about garters was somewhat limited. I've done a lot of reading these past weeks!)

Anyways, I never thought I would love a snake! Someday, I'd like to get another if I can find someone who sells garters in my area.